<p>MELBOURNE, February 9, 2009. When logistics and warehousing students graduate from Kangan Batman TAFE in Melbourne, their employment opportunities are enhanced by a working knowledge of sophisticated, industry-strength supply chain software.</p><p>The college uses Mid-Comp’s Odyssey intelligent ERP software solution for hands-on teaching. Unlike competing solutions from multinational vendors, Australian-owned Mid-Comp allows the use of its systems away from TAFE computers.</p><p>Kangan Batman TAFE was the first of an expanding group of educational institutions to take advantage of Mid-Comp’s Education Initiatives program. Odyssey underpins two courses: Certificate in Warehousing, Logistics and Supply Chain Principles; and Warehouse Technology. Some 60-80 students take these courses each year.</p><p>“The essential skills we give them are readily transferable to jobs in the logistics and supply chain industry because Odyssey aligns our courses with real-world practices,” says Paul Sesta, Program Co-ordinator. “Experience in using the software enhances their employment prospects in an industry searching for high technology education and skilled personnel resources.”</p><p>Until Kangan Batman adopted Odyssey, its campus at Broadmeadows offered manual, low tech training in supply chain related subjects.</p><p>“As an advanced technology ERP suite with a distribution focus, Odyssey fitted our objectives in providing a cornerstone delivery mechanism,” said Mr Sesta. “It gives both entry level students and those with industry expertise the opportunity to learn a warehouse management system or ERP/WMS and associated technologies in a practical environment.”</p><p>He said students like Odyssey because it is easy to use and browser-based. They can access it anywhere, including on-site training in industry or from their homes.</p><p>Students work in a live working warehouse using bar code and radio frequency technologies which give them practical hands-on exposure. The breadth of the Odyssey software application suite enables graduates to go into any distribution company operating modern workflow processes and become productive immediately. Students perform a variety of warehouse transactions from receiving through to despatch, stocktaking and inventory control. This involves barcode scanning, printing, labelling and completing documentation commonly used in the industry.</p><p>They find the software easy to use: fields on the screens are straightforward and easy to navigate and they can have multiple instances open at the same time, minimising navigation. They can clearly identify each copy of a transaction under each menu item.”</p><p>Paul Sesta concludes: “Our students have a positive advantage because we deliver the whole warehouse stream, from entry level through to Diploma of Logistics. Essentially students range from those with no previous experience, through to team leaders and middle managers who can have access to this software and learn about its functionality and application in industry.”</p><p>About Kangan Batman TAFE</p><p>Kangan Batman TAFE is a flexible, innovative and friendly place of learning, with a dynamic multicultural atmosphere. Every year the institution helps to build the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours of more than 26,000 people who work in and around businesses across Victoria, in Australia and overseas. Kangan Batman offers high quality courses designed with industry, for industry, which means students gain relevant and sought-after skills in their area of choice. Kangan Batman TAFE is Victoria's major training provider for the automotive, aerospace, polymer and transport industries and is the state's largest provider of traineeship and apprenticeship training.</p><p>The institution has seven campuses across Melbourne, including the new Automotive Centre of Excellence at Docklands, which is to become the largest automotive training facility in the Southern Hemisphere. Kangan Batman offers nationally accredited courses from basic certificates to diplomas and graduate diplomas. Our partnerships with universities mean you can progress from our courses into degree and post-graduate studies.</p><p>About Mid-Comp International</p><p>Mid-Comp International Pty Ltd (www.midcomp.com.au) is an Australian developer and supplier of business software solutions that encompass intelligent supply chain, managed availability and IBM systems management. Recently Elders Ltd chose the firm’s Odyssey intelligent supply chain solution in preference to systems from 100-plus vendors including SAP AG and Lawson Software. Odyssey is believed to be the world’s largest pure Java system. Stockman, Mid-Comp’s scaled down version of Odyssey, is targeted at SME supply chain customers. Both solutions are based on Internet delivered technology. Mid-Comp enjoys a strategic relationship with IBM, and supplies products and services to a client list that includes dominant Australian commercial enterprises. The company also supplies product to organisations in 26 countries, including many Fortune 500 companies.</p><p># # #</p><p>For more information</p><p>Steve Bridges,CEO, Mid-Comp International Pty LtdPhone: (03) 9915 5200 or 0407 498 400Email: steveb@midcomp.com.au</p><p>Paul SestaKangan Batman Institute of TAFEPhone: (03) 9279 2419Email: psesta@kangan.edu.au</p><p>David FrostPR Deadlines Pty LtdPhone: (02) 4341 5021Email: davidf@prdeadlines.com.au</p>

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